2 Samuel 15:14

King James Version:

(The Lord speaking is red text)

And David said unto all his servants that [were] with him at Jerusalem, Arise, and let us flee; for we shall not [else] escape from Absalom: make speed to depart, lest he overtake us suddenly, and bring evil upon us, and smite the city with the edge of the sword.

Complete Jewish Bible:

David said to all his servants with him in Yerushalayim, "Get up! We must flee! Otherwise none of us will escape from Avshalom. Hurry, and leave; or he will soon overtake us, attack us and put the city to the sword."

Berean Standard Bible:

And David said to all the servants with him in Jerusalem, “Arise and let us flee, or we will not escape from Absalom! We must leave quickly, or he will soon overtake us, heap disaster on us, and put the city to the sword.”

American Standard Version:

And David said unto all his servants that were with him at Jerusalem, Arise, and let us flee; for else none of us shall escape from Absalom: make speed to depart, lest he overtake us quickly, and bring down evil upon us, and smite the city with the edge of the sword.

KJV with Strong’s Numbers:

And David^{H1732} said^{H559} unto all his servants^{H5650} that were with him at Jerusalem^{H3389}, Arise^{H6965}, and let us flee^{H1272}; for we shall not else escape^{H6413} from^{H6440} Absalom^{H53}: make speed^{H4116} to depart^{H3212}, lest he overtake^{H5381} us suddenly^{H4116}, and bring^{H5080} evil^{H7451} upon us, and smite^{H5221} the city^{H5892} with the edge^{H6310} of the sword^{H2719}.

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Commentary for 2 Samuel 15:14

2 Samuel 15:14 is a pivotal moment in the narrative of King David's reign over Israel. The verse captures the urgency and distress of a monarch forced to flee his capital due to a rebellion led by his own son, Absalom. The historical context is rooted in the complex family dynamics and political intrigues of David's court. Absalom had been plotting to seize the throne, cultivating support among the Israelites and undermining his father's authority.

In this verse, David, recognizing the gravity of the situation and the imminent threat to his life and the safety of Jerusalem, commands his loyal servants to evacuate immediately. His directive, "Arise, and let us flee," reflects his acknowledgment that staying in Jerusalem would result in certain defeat and possibly death at the hands of Absalom's forces. The urgency in David's command, "make speed to depart," underscores the need for haste to avoid being overtaken by Absalom's army, which could lead to a massacre ("smite the city with the edge of the sword").

The themes present in this verse include the betrayal of a close family member, the chaos of political upheaval, and the humility of a king reduced to a fugitive. It also touches on the themes of divine justice and the consequences of sin, as David's past transgressions, including his affair with Bathsheba and the subsequent murder of her husband, Uriah, had been foretold to result in turmoil within his own household (2 Samuel 12:10-11). This moment of flight is a turning point that leads to a period of exile for David, testing his faith, leadership, and the loyalty of his subjects. It is a poignant episode that illustrates the human complexity of biblical figures and the far-reaching impact of their actions.

*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model

Strong's Numbers and Definitions:

Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)

1. Strong's Number: H1732
   There are 911 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: דָּוִד
   Transliteration: Dâvid
   Pronunciation: daw-veed'
   Description: rarely (fully); דָּוִיד; from the same as דּוֹד; loving; David, the youngest son of Jesse; David.
   
2. Strong's Number: H559
   There are 4434 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: אָמַר
   Transliteration: ʼâmar
   Pronunciation: aw-mar'
   Description: a primitive root; to say (used with great latitude); answer, appoint, avouch, bid, boast self, call, certify, challenge, charge, [phrase] (at the, give) command(-ment), commune, consider, declare, demand, [idiom] desire, determine, [idiom] expressly, [idiom] indeed, [idiom] intend, name, [idiom] plainly, promise, publish, report, require, say, speak (against, of), [idiom] still, [idiom] suppose, talk, tell, term, [idiom] that is, [idiom] think, use (speech), utter, [idiom] verily, [idiom] yet.
   
3. Strong's Number: H5650
   There are 714 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: עֶבֶד
   Transliteration: ʻebed
   Pronunciation: eh'-bed
   Description: from עָבַד; a servant; [idiom] bondage, bondman, (bond-) servant, (man-) servant.
   
4. Strong's Number: H3389
   There are 600 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: יְרוּשָׁלַ͏ִם
   Transliteration: Yᵉrûwshâlaim
   Pronunciation: yer-oo-shaw-lah'-im
   Description: rarely יְרוּשָׁלַיִם; a dual (in allusion to its two main hills (the true pointing, at least of the former reading, seems to be that of יְרוּשָׁלֵם)); probably from (the passive participle of) יָרָה and שָׁלַם; founded peaceful; Jerushalaim or Jerushalem, the capital city of Palestine; Jerusalem.
   
5. Strong's Number: H6965
   There are 596 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: קוּם
   Transliteration: qûwm
   Pronunciation: koom
   Description: a primitive root; to rise (in various applications, literal, figurative, intensive and causative); abide, accomplish, [idiom] be clearer, confirm, continue, decree, [idiom] be dim, endure, [idiom] enemy, enjoin, get up, make good, help, hold, (help to) lift up (again), make, [idiom] but newly, ordain, perform, pitch, raise (up), rear (up), remain, (a-) rise (up) (again, against), rouse up, set (up), (e-) stablish, (make to) stand (up), stir up, strengthen, succeed, (as-, make) sure(-ly), (be) up(-hold, -rising).
   
6. Strong's Number: H1272
   There are 64 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: בָּרַח
   Transliteration: bârach
   Pronunciation: baw-rakh'
   Description: a primitive root; to bolt, i.e. figuratively, to flee suddenly; chase (away); drive away, fain, flee (away), put to flight, make haste, reach, run away, shoot.
   
7. Strong's Number: H6413
   There are 28 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: פְּלֵיטָה
   Transliteration: pᵉlêyṭâh
   Pronunciation: pel-ay-taw'
   Description: or פְּלֵטָה; feminine of פָּלִיט; deliverance; concretely, an escaped portion; deliverance, (that is) escape(-d), remnant.
   
8. Strong's Number: H6440
   There are 1890 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: פָּנִים
   Transliteration: pânîym
   Pronunciation: paw-neem'
   Description: plural (but always as singular) of an unused noun פָּנֶה; from פָּנָה); the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposition (before, etc.); [phrase] accept, a-(be-) fore(-time), against, anger, [idiom] as (long as), at, [phrase] battle, [phrase] because (of), [phrase] beseech, countenance, edge, [phrase] employ, endure, [phrase] enquire, face, favour, fear of, for, forefront(-part), form(-er time, -ward), from, front, heaviness, [idiom] him(-self), [phrase] honourable, [phrase] impudent, [phrase] in, it, look(-eth) (-s), [idiom] me, [phrase] meet, [idiom] more than, mouth, of, off, (of) old (time), [idiom] on, open, [phrase] out of, over against, the partial, person, [phrase] please, presence, propect, was purposed, by reason of, [phrase] regard, right forth, [phrase] serve, [idiom] shewbread, sight, state, straight, [phrase] street, [idiom] thee, [idiom] them(-selves), through ([phrase] -out), till, time(-s) past, (un-) to(-ward), [phrase] upon, upside ([phrase] down), with(-in, [phrase] -stand), [idiom] ye, [idiom] you.
   
9. Strong's Number: H53
   There are 2955 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: אֲבִישָׁלוֹם
   Transliteration: ʼĂbîyshâlôwm
   Pronunciation: ab-ee-shaw-lome'
   Description: or (shortened) אַבְשָׁלוֹם ; from אָב and שָׁלוֹם; father of peace (i.e. friendly); Abshalom, a son of David; also (the fuller form) a later Israelite; Abishalom, Absalom.
   
10. Strong's Number: H4116
    There are 60 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: מָהַר
    Transliteration: mâhar
    Pronunciation: maw-har'
    Description: a primitive root; properly, to be liquid or flow easily, i.e. (by implication); to hurry (in a good or a bad sense); often used (with another verb) adverbially, promptly; be carried headlong, fearful, (cause to make, in, make) haste(-n, -ily), (be) hasty, (fetch, make ready) [idiom] quickly, rash, [idiom] shortly, (be so) [idiom] soon, make speed, [idiom] speedily, [idiom] straightway, [idiom] suddenly, swift.
    
11. Strong's Number: H3212
    There are 938 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: יָלַךְ
    Transliteration: yâlak
    Pronunciation: yaw-lak'
    Description: a primitive root (compare הָלַךְ); to walk (literally or figuratively); causatively, to carry (in various senses); [idiom] again, away, bear, bring, carry (away), come (away), depart, flow, [phrase] follow(-ing), get (away, hence, him), (cause to, made) go (away, -ing, -ne, one's way, out), grow, lead (forth), let down, march, prosper, [phrase] pursue, cause to run, spread, take away (-journey), vanish, (cause to) walk(-ing), wax, [idiom] be weak.
    
12. Strong's Number: H5381
    There are 47 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: נָשַׂג
    Transliteration: nâsag
    Pronunciation: naw-sag'
    Description: a primitive root; to reach (literally or figuratively); ability, be able, attain (unto), (be able to, can) get, lay at, put, reach, remove, wax rich, [idiom] surely, (over-) take (hold of, on, upon).
    
13. Strong's Number: H5080
    There are 51 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: נָדַח
    Transliteration: nâdach
    Pronunciation: naw-dakh'
    Description: a primitive root; to push off; used in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively (to expel, mislead, strike, inflict, etc.); banish, bring, cast down (out), chase, compel, draw away, drive (away, out, quite), fetch a stroke, force, go away, outcast, thrust away (out), withdraw.
    
14. Strong's Number: H7451
    There are 623 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: רַע
    Transliteration: raʻ
    Pronunciation: rah
    Description: from רָעַע; bad or (as noun) evil (natural or moral); adversity, affliction, bad, calamity, [phrase] displease(-ure), distress, evil((-favouredness), man, thing), [phrase] exceedingly, [idiom] great, grief(-vous), harm, heavy, hurt(-ful), ill (favoured), [phrase] mark, mischief(-vous), misery, naught(-ty), noisome, [phrase] not please, sad(-ly), sore, sorrow, trouble, vex, wicked(-ly, -ness, one), worse(-st), wretchedness, wrong. (Incl. feminine raaah; as adjective or noun.).
    
15. Strong's Number: H5221
    There are 460 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: נָכָה
    Transliteration: nâkâh
    Pronunciation: naw-kaw'
    Description: a primitive root; to strike (lightly or severely, literally or figuratively); beat, cast forth, clap, give (wounds), [idiom] go forward, [idiom] indeed, kill, make (slaughter), murderer, punish, slaughter, slay(-er, -ing), smite(-r, -ing), strike, be stricken, (give) stripes, [idiom] surely, wound.
    
16. Strong's Number: H5892
    There are 937 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: עִיר
    Transliteration: ʻîyr
    Pronunciation: eer
    Description: or (in the plural) עָר; or עָיַר; (Judges 10:4), from עוּר; a city (a place guarded by waking or a watch) in the widest sense (even of a mere encampment or post); Ai (from margin), city, court (from margin), town.
    
17. Strong's Number: H6310
    There are 460 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: פֶּה
    Transliteration: peh
    Pronunciation: peh
    Description: from פָּאָה; the mouth (as the means of blowing), whether literal or figurative (particularly speech); specifically edge, portion or side; adverbially (with preposition) according to; accord(-ing as, -ing to), after, appointment, assent, collar, command(-ment), [idiom] eat, edge, end, entry, [phrase] file, hole, [idiom] in, mind, mouth, part, portion, [idiom] (should) say(-ing), sentence, skirt, sound, speech, [idiom] spoken, talk, tenor, [idiom] to, [phrase] two-edged, wish, word.
    
18. Strong's Number: H2719
    There are 372 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: חֶרֶב
    Transliteration: chereb
    Pronunciation: kheh'-reb
    Description: from חָרַב; drought; also a cutting instrument (from its destructive effect), as a knife, sword, or other sharp implement; axe, dagger, knife, mattock, sword, tool.